Academy teams go undefeated in Winter Showcase

RAPIDS U-16 DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY SQUAD GOES 1-0-2 IN WINTER SHOWCASE: The Colorado Rapids U-16 team completed their participation in the Development Academy Winter Showcase, played in Sarasota, Fla., with a 1-0-2 record. They opened the showcase with a 2-0 victory over Oakwood Soccer Club, with goals supplied by Ricardo Perez and Alex Toderica on Saturday, Dec. 3. On Sunday, Oscar Montes scored in the 21st minute to earn a tie with NJSA 04 1-1. After a day’s rest, the Rapids played their final match of 2011 against Baltimore Bays Chelsea, which resulted in a 2-2 draw on a brace from Toderica. The 2011 Development Academy Winter Showcase, held at Premier Sports Campus, is one of the premier scouting events for college coaches.

U-18 TEAM FINISHES WINTER SHOWCASE WITH ONE WIN, TWO TIES: The U-18 Development Academy squad was led by Rapids Reserves regular Dillon Serna, who scored in a goal in each of the three games played this weekend. The U-18’s opened with two ties, a 1-1 draw with Oakwood Soccer Club on Saturday, Dec. 3 and a 3-3 stalemate against NJSA 04 the next day when Alex Braman, Daniel Nevarez and Serna each contributed a goal. Idrissa Camara added to Serna’s tally to defeat Baltimore Bays Chelsea 2-1 on the final day of play.

DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY TEAMS BREAK UNTIL MARCH: After completing the 2011 Development Academy Winter Showcase, the U-16 and U-18 Colorado Rapids Development Academy teams will break until the 2011/12 season resumes in March. Both teams head into the break with a 3-0-2 record, and next face Classics Elite on Saturday, March 17 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

RAPIDS U-17 TEAM FINISHES THIRD IN GROUP IN NOMADS THANKSGIVING TOURNAMENT: The Rapids’ U-17 team, part of the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer system, participated in the Nomads Thanksgiving Tournament & Festival in San Diego, Cali., on November 25-26. They placed third in Flight C of the Boys Under 17 1st Division with a record of 1-1-1, which was not enough to advance to the quarterfinals.